9-6 in August and an enjoyable run

The Cubs are 18-14 since the All-Star Break -- not too shabby for a team that looked like it was in total disarray the first half of the season. Chicago is playing good baseball right now with a lot of missing parts, but give Dusty Baker credit for rallying his troops. He's not a manager that has a reputation for playing youngsters, but with the emergence of Matt Murton (.379, 5 2B, 4 HR, 15 RBI), Angel Pagan (.315, 13 R, 3 SB), and Ronny Cedeno (.241, 3 HR, 3 SB) the past month, things are looking up in ChiTown.

I really want management to lock up 3B Aramis Ramirez and CF Juan Pierre for the next few years. Couple that duo with C Michael Barrett, 1B Derrek Lee, and SS Cesar Izturis, and that would be a pretty formidable lineup for the future.

If the Cubs could have somehow played .400 baseball in May/June, then Chicago would have been in the thick of a very mediocre N.L. Wild Card race. Here's hoping for a 5-3 or better home-stand vs. the likes of St. Louis and Philadelphia and a chance to be a major spoiler come Labor Day!

Two weeks of good baseball

Finally!

After suffering along with every other Cubs fan on this planet during the miserable months of May and June, Chicago has finally put together a good run. Not since the season's opening 14-8 start have the Cubs played baseball this well as a two-week run of 10-4 indicates. It will be interesting to see how it pans out this year, but if the Cubs can continue to "show up" and play the game the way it is intended, then I won't have much to argue about. Chicago is 5-2-2 in its last nine series and that is encouraging.

My suggestion is to lock up CF Juan Pierre for at least another year and in my opinion a three-year deal would be justified -- his presence in the leadoff spot is something the Cubs haven't had since Kenny Lofton in 2003. I would also like to see a Barry Zito added to a starting rotation that looks like it is shaping up as Carlos Zambrano-Mark Prior-Rich Hill-Sean Marshall/Carlos Marmol for next year. Throw in a Juan Mateo in the bullpen along with Scott Eyre, Bobby Howry, Kerry Wood, Ryan Dempster, and Michael Wuertz, and the pitching staff looks pretty solid.

Diamond corners of Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez sandwiched around Michael Barrett, Cesar Izturis, and Ronny Cedeno also looks to be formidable. Put Pierre in between a Matt Murton/Angel Pagan and Jacque Jones and that could see some good production as well. Just think if a big bopper could be added to that outfield!

Cubs Sweep St. Louis, Hail Cesar!, & Goodbye Master

Wow! What a weekend.

Chicago bests St. Louis in four games at Wrigley Field -- a feat not achieved since 1972! It was great to see the Central Division leading Cardinals on the ropes four-straight days and for the Cubs to deliver the knockout punch on a consistent basis. Wild and wacky games, but isn't that what mid-summer series are all about? Good job, Chicago -- so far the highlight of a very tough season.

I've been disappointed in Jim Hendry's acquisitions the past two off-seasons, but you have to hand it to the guy -- he has a knack for getting "bang for the buck" at the July 31 trading deadline. Never did I expect a Gold Glove shortstop to be at Wrigley Field next year, but Hendry pulled that off by dealing Cubs-legend Greg Maddux to the Dodgers for Cesar Izturis. I've been very impressed with the little Venezuelan from his tenure in Los Angeles and feel that if Aramis Ramirez and Juan Pierre are retained for next year, then the batting order looks pretty decent -- along with a much better defensive infield.

CF Juan Pierre
SS Cesar Izturis
1B Derrek Lee
3B Aramis Ramirez
C Michael Barrett
RF Jacque Jones
LF Matt Murton/Angel Pagan (hopefully Carlos Lee, which would move him to cleanup)
2B Ronny Cedeno

Don't let Maddux's 2006 numbers tell the tale of this masterful pitcher. Sure a 4.69 ERA seems to be the norm for starting pitchers these days, but it is two points higher than how we remember the 325+ game winner. But to achieve nine wins with the Cubs this year is amazing at 40 years old. He'll fit in perfectly with Los Angeles and it puts him near his "home" of Las Vegas, Nevada. I've never pulled for the Dodgers, but will certainly be pulling for Mad-Dog at Chavez Ravine in August and September!